New intel re Lithium Orotate

Posted by pb50 @pb50, Dec 31, 2025

I have discussed previously that I have mild cognitive dysfunction and after two rounds of neuropsych testing over two years and Lab & imaging testing confirming my clinical profile, I am taking Lithium Orotate as a nutritional supplement. But I consume professional intel on studies religiously. Like this one.
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/lecanemab-or-lithium-compare-benefits-risks-and-dose
The key question that stood out to me which the physician author (Dr Phelps) asks in his review of studies is below. I highly emcourage reading this. You have to follow some links and jump back and forth a bit but make the effort. For those of you fond of calculating elemental lithium there is a section on calculating equivalent dosing to the mice study.

“Brain lithium prevents amyloid plaque formation and phosphorylation of tau proteins. In the process of AD dementia, lithium is sequestered in plaques, creating a positive feedback loop: more plaque, less lithium, leading to more plaque, and so on. Giving lithium orotate to young adult mice almost completely prevented plaque formation and tau phosphorylation. Starting lithium orotate after plaques and phosphorylated tau have already formed almost completely reversed the expected cognitive impairment. Lithium carbonate is far less effective. If all this were true in humans, lithium orotate would be an obvious treatment both to prevent AD dementia and to treat it once detected.

Of course, skeptics’ first response has been “these are mouse data.” Aron et al point out that lithium levels in human and mouse brains are comparable, supporting the relevance of mouse models for studying the biological effects of lithium. Skeptics, including a prominent neurologist following a national presentation on AD treatment, have said that we should wait for a randomized trial of lithium orotate in humans (personal communication, August 2025). But the recent lithium carbonate randomized trial took 8 years to mount and complete. What shall we suggest to patients and families for the next 8 years?

A healthy lifestyle—including a Mediterranean-like diet, regular physical activity, and avoidance of smoking, excessive alcohol, social isolation, sleep disorders, and hearing loss—is an important means of preserving cognitive function in people at risk of developing dementia.

The subsequent article will compare lecanemab and lithium’s benefits, risks, and costs. With ApoE genotyping and the new pTau/amyloid blood test, patients and families need help now deciding between treatment alternatives.”

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

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@ralpha4 The only "popsicle" effects were negative, back when we ate them a few summers ago. I really wonder if our decade of sweets contributed to the MCI and other symptoms now. But to your question (presuming "popscicle" = symptom spikes, I think it has more to do with other important variables like hydration and especially Sleep!

As you might guess, our sleep is erratic and when interrupted or insufficient her symptoms seem to Always be worse. My impression is that REM sleep is when toxins are best cleared. So I'm trying to stop our hydration <4hrs. before bed, and daytime <1hr before leaving home (clean public restrooms are few).

The biggest difference in her symptoms was when I'd read about compounds (various alkaloids as I recall) in coffee, tea and chocolate that can reduce MCI symptoms. I started us on strong instant coffee (Nescafe Classico, 2tsp for her 3 for me) followed by black tea (hers with 4-Ingredient organic oat milk to eliminate conflict with mine's protein in 2% milk), and one square or so each of TJ's 72% Pound Plus chocolate in case that caffeine & alkaloids also help (this was afew weeks before finding the Yanker article). The result:
BAM!! That very day she was again much more the M.A. college admin I married!

The change was so dramatic I stopped researching for a month or two, until symptoms began to re-appear and worsen. Luckily we'd already started prep for the AD slide, incl. Advance Directive after the formal MCI diagnosis. Starting LiO brought her back quite a bit again in most areas within a few days, but she's now having more variability most correlated with sleep/hydration as noted. It's possible that rapid improvement was related to slightly better sleep that LiO users have long reported. Sleep alas has again become more erratic and probably correlates with symptoms (yes, too bad I don't keep a detailed journal, but hey nor do most trials).

As for dose, I started with 4mg KAL + 1mg Pure Encaps. before breakfast, alternating days with SFI 4.8mg & the 1mg P.E. As stated, I'm suspicious of potency (& ingredients) of OTC despite those being among the 5 or so brands most highly rated. Side note: we were startled to find KAL at our Lazy Acres healthy grocer for

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@plus KAL at our Lazy Acres healthy grocer for
Got interrupted. 🙂
It was

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You might enjoy reading about the glymphatic process in terms how the brain gets cleaned out at night. Google gives a decent overview. But fyi - it occurs during non-Rem, Stage 3 deep sleep.

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@plus KAL at our Lazy Acres healthy grocer for
Got interrupted. 🙂
It was

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@plus So apparently we're not to post prices? No worries. Guess I need to read the Connect guidelines. 🙂

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Profile picture for pb50 @pb50

You might enjoy reading about the glymphatic process in terms how the brain gets cleaned out at night. Google gives a decent overview. But fyi - it occurs during non-Rem, Stage 3 deep sleep.

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@pb50 You might enjoy reading about the glymphatic ... during non-Rem, Stage 3 deep sleep

Thank you for that!! Looks quite interesting, and has me curious about if/how LiO could be involved in or interacting with that. Again, it's on those hapless rodents but promising.

Hopefully the focus on sleep will help, including any associated benefit from LiO. Speaking of which, I've just last night started splitting the now 10mg dose morning before breakfast and night before bed. Hoping that makes for better sleep and more stable blood LiO level.

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It is such a precise fact I can't help but be inspired to know how much of my sleep is in Non-REM deep sleep. I have struggled to get one of the oura (sp?) rings but I may break down..

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@plus So apparently we're not to post prices? No worries. Guess I need to read the Connect guidelines. 🙂

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@plus I'm not sure - possibly. I just try to be cognizent those of us who get excited about learning new stuff and speak to it in a manner that might inspire followers. Goodness knows I am wandering through the Mild Cognitive Impairment darkness, groping my way. No one should be inspired by my choices - I just am inclined to get enthusiastic about them 🙂

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FYI
Katie Couric did a very good 50 minute interview with Dr. Yankner that people might be interested in.

The Groundbreaking Alzheimer's Study You Need To Hear About
I can’t post a link, but In YouTube search for “ Couric yankner”.

One important thing that he says is that a reverse osmosis filter will remove the naturally occurring lithium carbonate in your drinking water.

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Profile picture for nb14 @nb14

FYI
Katie Couric did a very good 50 minute interview with Dr. Yankner that people might be interested in.

The Groundbreaking Alzheimer's Study You Need To Hear About
I can’t post a link, but In YouTube search for “ Couric yankner”.

One important thing that he says is that a reverse osmosis filter will remove the naturally occurring lithium carbonate in your drinking water.

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@nb14 awesome - thanks!!

Fyi - if it's useful, the RO filters are typically under the sink type. The Brita filters are not reverse osmosis.

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Profile picture for nb14 @nb14

FYI
Katie Couric did a very good 50 minute interview with Dr. Yankner that people might be interested in.

The Groundbreaking Alzheimer's Study You Need To Hear About
I can’t post a link, but In YouTube search for “ Couric yankner”.

One important thing that he says is that a reverse osmosis filter will remove the naturally occurring lithium carbonate in your drinking water.

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Hello @nb14, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @pb50 and others. Since new members are not allowed to post links for a short period of time, I thought I would share the YouTube video for you.

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Profile picture for John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop

Hello @nb14, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @pb50 and others. Since new members are not allowed to post links for a short period of time, I thought I would share the YouTube video for you.

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@johnbishop thanks !!

Good to hear from you.

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